the priorities of the eesc during the czech …...communication context during the czech eu...

European Economic and Social Committee

The priorities of the EESC during the Czech Presidency

of the Council of the European UnionJANUARY - JUNE 2009

The European Economic and Social Committee A bridge between Europe and organised civil societyThe European Economic and Social Committee represents

the various economic and social components of organised

civil society. It is an institutional consultative body

established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. The EESC's

consultative role enables its members, and hence the

organisations they represent, to participate in the

Community decision–making process. With views

occasionally being diametrically opposed, the EESC's

discussions often require real negotiations involving not

only the usual social partners, i.e. employers (Group I) and

employees (Group II), but also – and this is the

distinguishing feature of the EESC – all the other socio-

occupational interests represented (Group III). This

expertise, these discussions and negotiations and the

search for convergence may improve the quality and

credibility of the Community decision-making process,

inasmuch as they make it more comprehensible and

acceptable for Europe's citizens and increase the

transparency which is so vital for democracy. Within the

European institutional set-up, the EESC fulfils a specific role;

it is the prime forum in which the organisations of civil

society in the European Union can have their views

represented and discussed. As a debating and consultative

chamber, the EESC helps to strengthen the democratic

credentials of the process of building the European Union,

including the promotion of relations between the EU and

socio-economic groupings in third countries. In so doing it

helps to promote a genuine identification with Europe.

The priorities of the EESC during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union • Jan. 2009 • 3

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The Council of the European Union brings together ministerial representatives of the

governments of the EU Member States, meeting in various formations according to the

policy area under discussion. The Council's legislative and political decisions are prepared

by a large number of specialised working parties and are fed up through the Permanent

Representatives Committee to the Council itself. Member State governments take it in turn

to chair the Council's various meetings and to represent the Council vis-à-vis the EU's other

institutions and the European Union vis-à-vis the larger world. These presidencies of the

Council of the European Union traditionally establish a set of broad political priorities and

a work programme.

The Czech Republic holds the Presidency for the first half of 2009. Its priorities can be found

at http://www.eu2009.cz

This publication sets out some of the major activities of the European Economic and Social

Committee during the period of the January-June 2009 Czech Presidency.

4 • The priorities of the EESC during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union • Jan. 2009

CONTENTS

Introduction by President Mario Sepi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Priorities of the EESC during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Communicating Europe in partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

The Lisbon Treaty and Organised Civil Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

The renewed Lisbon Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Single Market, Production and Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Employment, Social Policy and Citizenship, Immigration and Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, Sustainable Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Sustainable Development Observatory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Industrial Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Europe in the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

The European Economic and Social Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

The Czech members of the European Economic and Social Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Priorities for the Czech Presidency of the Council, January – June 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Council of Economic and Social Agreement of the Czech Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Some basic facts about the Czech Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Programme of Events in 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27



INTRODUCTION BY PRESIDENT MARIO SEPI

The Czech presidency of the European Council will

commence at a difficult moment for Europe, since it has

to contend with the financial crisis at the same time as a

number of crucial events are due take place, including

the elections to the European Parliament in June 2009

and the ongoing process of ratifying the Lisbon Treaty.

This situation is reason enough for it to ratify the treaty

quickly and to invest every effort into pushing forward

the key European issues.

The European Economic and Social Committee will thus

have a special responsibility which is also an

opportunity: it needs to prove that it constitutes an

added value for the new Council presidency and for the

other institutions generally in pursuing the EU's goals by involving civil society at grassroots.

This goal can be achieved by engaging in extensive cooperation with national ESCs and pursuing a process laid out

during the French presidency of the Union that will result in an assessment of the social impact of European measures.

In this connection, we also wish to be of the greatest assistance to the European Parliament during the elections by

working to inform and involve the public in the discussions leading up to them. For this we shall be looking to our

members and hence the various components of civil society. We must help to reach a consensus and shape a European

public opinion. Here, the Czech presidency must also demonstrate its active commitment to sending out positive

signals about a Europe that offers prospects to all our countries and is also open to the rest of the world.

We are confident that an active approach to the current challenges of globalisation is the only way for Europe to steer

our society of tomorrow by implementing its social model.

It is in this connection that I wanted to relaunch the role of the European Economic and Social Committee through the

issues set out in the work programme of my presidency: “Rights and solidarity to guide globalisation”.

Having put in place the framework, I am convinced that the three priorities of my work programme – ratification of the

Lisbon Treaty through the application of the rules of participatory democracy, the relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy after

2010 and finalising the European Social Model and the rights incorporated in the Charter of Fundamental Rights – will

be the key planks of cooperation with the Czech presidency on brining a shared project to fruition.

Contact:Andrea.Pierucci, Head of the President's Private Office (+32 2 546 84 41; [email protected])Mariachiara Esposito, the president's spokeswoman (+32 2 546 93 50; [email protected])

Mario SEPI, President of the EESC

At President Sepi's insistence, having in mind his slogan: "Rightsand solidarity to guide globalisation", and under the scrutinyof the EESC's Communication Group, chaired by Vice-PresidentIrini Pari, the European Economic and Social Committee willcontinue to pursue its role as a committed player in the EUcommunication context during the Czech EU Presidency.

The EESC will give special attention to facing globalisation, in-cluding the challenges of growth and jobs, climate change andenergy so as to defend the European Social Model.

It will focus on external relations and the year of innovation andcreativity and support the interinstitutional Communicationpriorities, besides energy and climate change, linked to the Eu-ropean Parliament elections and the 20th anniversary of the fallof the iron curtain.

It will work to help boost the communication partnership withthe other European institutions, in line with its latest opinionon "Communicating Europe in Partnership", in order to listen,and communicate Europe with one voice, and torespond better to the public's expec-tations on the informationfront.

In the same interinstitu-tional context, the EESCwill actively participatein communication ef-forts for the new Re-form Treaty (theLisbon Treaty) by thatstrengthening the prin-ciple of Participatory De-mocracy.

The EESC will continue to implement the operational recom-mendations contained in its opinions on "Plan D", "the WhitePaper" and the Commission Communication "CommunicatingEurope in Partnership" and the visions expressed in its 2008opinion "Reconciling the national and European dimensions ofcommunicating Europe".

Lastly, the EESC will seek to implement in practice the adden-dum on communication appended to the November 2005 European Commission-EESC protocol of cooperation, signed inMay 2007. That addendum puts the focus on decentralised cooperation and synergies with the European Commission inthe area of communication.

Contact: Peter Lindvald Nielsen +32 2 546 98 [email protected]


Priorities of the EESC during the Czech Presidency of the Council

of the European Union

Communicating Europe in partnership

Despite a long period of reflection following the failure of theConstitutional Treaty ratification process, the recent setbackto the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty following the negativeoutcome of the referendum in Ireland on 12 June 2008 notonly plunges the European Union into a new institutional cri-sis, but also, and beyond the apparent reasons for this rejec-tion, reflects considerable scepticism, or even profounddifferences regarding the direction that EU policies havetaken, with regard to the future, and sometimes even regar-ding the meaning of the European project itself.

As a consequence, it is essential that the process of ratifyingthe Lisbon Treaty be completed and the reforms thus be put inplace for equipping the European Union with the right insti-tutional framework and tools for implementing new policiesneeded to cope with the many challenges facing the Union,which are at the heart of public concerns in Europe, namelyglobalisation, the fight against poverty and social exclusion,climate change and the future of the European social model.The Committee firmly supports the principles and values un-derlying the European venture, as well as the achievements ofthe constitutional process enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty.

The imponderables of the Lisbon Treaty ratification processshould not however mean that we lose sight of the fact thatthe European venture is still a project which will yield dividendsfor future generations; nevertheless these imponderables yetagain demonstrate the vital need to boost the legitimacy andprofile of the project by, amongst other things, ensuring that

the European public and the organizations and institutions re-presenting it play a full part in the integration process.

Against this backdrop, civil society participation in the publicdecision-making process is an essential tool, not only forstrengthening the democratic legitimacy of the European ins-titutions and EU action, but also for developing a shared per-ception of Europe's purpose and where it is heading.

By preserving all of the Constitutional Treaty provisions en-shrining participatory democracy and introducing a citizen'sright of initiative, the Lisbon Treaty opens up significant pros-pects for the development of European democracy.

Participatory democracy and a pro-active approach to citi-zenship are fundamental principles upon which the success ofEuropean Union policies – and hence the Union's very future –depend. Consequently it is essential to secure as broad an in-volvement of civil society as possible in the political processesat national, regional and local level, encourage the Europeanpublic to express its actual expectations and, to this end, putin place a genuine strategy for listening and dialogue onUnion policies and the public's vision for a common future.The renewal of the European Parliament in June 2009 in par-ticular will provide a suitable framework for doing to.

The Committee has thus already called on numerous occasionsfor the European institutions to follow the reasoning set out inthe provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, and before that the Consti-tutional Treaty, and establish genuine participatory democracy.

For its part, and in keeping with the tasks assigned to it bythe European treaties, the Committee will pursue its initia-tives aimed firstly at promoting a pluralist debate on revivingthe European integration process by ensuring the views ofcivil society organizations are heard at both national and Eu-ropean level, and secondly at facilitating and structuring dia-logue and consultation between European civil societyorganizations and networks and also between these organi-zations and the European institutions.

Contact: Patrick Fève +32 2 546 96 [email protected]


The Lisbon Treaty and Organised Civil Society

Participatory democracy and a pro-active approach to citizenshipare fundamental principles uponwhich the success of EuropeanUnion policies – and hence theUnion's very future – depend.


Since the Lisbon Strategy was re-launched in 2005 by the Eu-ropean Heads of State and Government, the EESC has consi-dered this to be one of the most important projects for Europe.The Summary Reports prepared by the EESC in 2006 and 2008set a solid cornerstone for future regular contributions of or-ganised civil society to the renewed Lisbon Strategy.

Civil society has a particularly important role in the imple-mentation process. In order to step-up its work in this area, inJuly 2008 the EESC decided to create a Lisbon Strategy Obser-vatory (LSO) with the mandate to further strengthen the in-volvement of relevant stakeholders in the Lisbon process.

During the Czech Presidency the EESC will kick off its workon an Integrated Report on the implementation and the futureof the Lisbon Strategy in the post - 2010 period to be presentedto the Spring Council 2010. In parallel the EESC will work anOpinion on the external dimension of the renewed Lisbon Strategy and an Opinion on the impact of energy and climateon the Lisbon Strategy which set the background for the Integrated Report.

The LSO will work jointly with the National Economic and So-cial Councils and other partner organisations and will conductcountry missions in order to hold genuine discussions on theimplementation process with all civil society actors. This pre-paratory work at Member States level will also feed into theIntegrated Report. In order to keep policy makers informedabout the contributions made by organised civil society and asan intermediate step towards the report, a resolution will bepresented to the 2009 Spring Summit.

This approach is in line with the 2008 Spring Summit generalmandate which "…invites the Commission and Member Statesto strengthen the involvement of relevant stakeholders in theLisbon process…".

Contact: Gilbert Marchlewitz +32 2 546 93 58 [email protected]

Jüri Soosaar +32 2 546 96 [email protected]

The renewed Lisbon Strategy

The banking and financial crisis has hit theEuropean economy violently and the damage

to growth, employment and overall welfareare still to be determined. The EESC will work on

an own-initiative opinion to shed light on the mat-ter and make policy proposals for future governance of the fi-nancial sector.

Furthermore, the EESC will discuss general questions of eco-nomic governance, economic policy coordination and Euro-pean Monetary Union in its opinion on the achievements andchallenges with the Single currency following the Commis-sion report EMU@10.

The EESC will also present an opinion on the Communicationby the Commission on the challenges caused by high oil andenergy prices, in which the economic aspects of a sustainableenergy policy besides measures to help the vulnerable playan important role.

Contact: Gilbert Marchlewitz +32 2 546 93 [email protected]

Taxation

In the area of indirect taxation the Presidency will give prio-rity to concluding work on the review of existing legislationon VAT reduced rates. The EESC has just started to elaboratean opinion on the matter, which is to be adopted by March2009. The Presidency will also take up, as a priority, severalinitiatives on combating fraud: In particular, the EESC will beconsulted on the so-called VAT fraud package, i.e. amongstothers the proposals on "administrative cooperation in thefield of VAT with a view to prevent and fight cross border taxfraud" (Regulation), the "common system of value added taxto include provisions aiming at preventing and fightingagainst cross border tax fraud" (Directive) and the commonsystem of VAT to combat tax evasion linked to import andother cross border transactions (Directive). Furthermore, at-tention will be given to the discussion on the revision of theDirective on tobacco taxation, area in which the EESC is pre-sently taken up its works.

The adoption of the Review of the Energy Taxation Directiveis finally to be expected by January 2009 and consequentlythe EESC will be consulted on the topic and will stimulate asubstantial debate on the matter.

A priority matter in the area of direct taxation during the 1sthalf of 2009 will be the evaluation of the functioning as wellas the reform of the savings tax directive. The amending pro-posal is expected to be adopted by November 2008 and theEESC will elaborate an opinion on the topic. Finally and anequally important matter, the EESC expects to be consultedon a communication on inheritance taxation.

Contact: Siegfried Jantscher +32 2 546 82 87 [email protected]

Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion

The Commission adopted its Green Paper on Territorial Cohe-sion on 6 October 2008. Once ratified, the Lisbon Treaty willinclude territorial cohesion alongside economic and social co-hesion as one of the Union's goals. To develop more effecti-vely the substance of a future territorial cohesion policy, theCommission has launched a public debate on the major issuesthat underpin it. At the end of the first four months of 2009,the EESC will finalise its contribution to this debate. A first as-sessment by the Commission is expected in the summer.

The Commission's communication on the results of the ne-gotiations on cohesion policy strategies and programmes forthe period 2007-2013 will enable the EESC to reflect upon,among other things, the role played by civil society in the pre-paration and implementation of this policy's projects. TheEESC's contribution will be completed during the first fourmonths of 2009. A recurrent issue on this front is the degreeand efficacy of partnership in cohesion policy, a point oftenraised and criticised in the Committee's recent opinions. TheEESC should be consulted on this matter in order to establish,for instance, best practices in this area. The EESC will be ableto assess the efficacy of the current partnership and the de-gree to which civil society is involved.

Contact: Marco Thyssen +32 2 546 96 [email protected]


Economic and Monetary Unionand Economic and Social Cohesion


Single Market, Production and Consumption

The Czech Presidency has indicated some priorities which areof a great interest for the Section, since they are closely rela-ted to its ongoing activities.

Competitiveness

The Presidency has the objective of increasing competitive-ness via the promotion of the four freedoms (people, goods,capital and services) within the Single Market. It will alsosearch for new sources of competitiveness, namely recogni-zing the importance of high-valued innovated products.

RTDI

Closely related to competitiveness is the promotion of re-search, technological development and innovation, which thePresidency intends to support actively. The European Year ofCreativity and Innovation, planned by the Commission for2009, will be welcome by the Czech Presidency. The EuropeanResearch Area will be strengthened and further developed,at the same time that efforts will be made to create a single,attractive labour market for researchers. The Presidency in-tends to support the Troika objective of creating an impact

assessment of the coordination of European research and willalso try to improve the protection of intellectual propertyrights, including an integrated and affordable patent system.

Competition Policy

The current modernization of European competition law willbe actively pursued by the Presidency.

Better legislation

The Presidency will seek the improvement of the regulatoryenvironment, to combat the heavy administrative burden andlevel of regulation attached to the European economy. TheSection, and namely its Single Market Observatory, is parti-cularly active in this field

The Presidency recognises, as well as the Section, that betterregulation is of fundamental importance for SMEs. And it willorganise a conference on the European Charter for Small En-terprises. The Czech Presidency supports the Council com-mitment to the compulsory assessment of the impact of EUlegislative proposals on the private sector.

The activities of the Single Market Observatory will take ac-count of relevant items of the Czech Presidency work pro-gramme:

• One external public hearing of the SMO focusing either onCzech civil society views re the functioning of the SingleMarket or, in line with the Czech Presidency slogan "EuropeWithout Barriers", pinpointing remaining obstacles to the

Single Market. This hearing could take place in the Czech Re-public (to be confirmed);

• Continuation of the SMO activities on Better Regulation asan on-going priority of all EU Presidencies linked to the Lis-bon Agenda, Europe's competitiveness and the implemen-tation of the four freedoms of the Single Market.

Industry

The Presidency supports the competitiveness of industrialsectors and the development of new technological processes.It will consider a plan to develop services that help to esta-blish companies in foreign markets. It will promote the mid-term review of the CARS 21 initiative and the chemical sector.

Services

In an attempt to start a debate on further liberalisation of theservices sector, the Presidency will organise a conference on"Free Movement of Services within the EU".

Consumers

The European Consumer Day, organised by the Committeesince 1999, always in close cooperation with the EuropeanCommission and the country holding the presidency of theCouncil, will be organized with the participation of theCzech Presidency. Since 15 March (the traditional Consu-mers day) will be a Sunday in 2009, the ECD 2009 will beheld on 13 March.

Contact: João Pereira dos Santos +32 2 546 92 [email protected]

SMO

Contact: Jean-Pierre Faure+32 2 546 96 15 or +32 2 546 92 [email protected] or [email protected]


The Presidency recognises,as well as the Section, that better regulation

is of fundamentalimportance for SMEs.

The SOC Section will draw-up two important exploratory opi-nions requested by the Czech Presidency, respectively onIdentification of outstanding barriers of mobility on the in-ternal labour market and on Partnerships between educationinstitutions and employers. The Committee expects to deli-ver theses opinions to official Czech Presidency conferencesand events. On the question of youth mobility, recent Com-mittee opinions on a European Credit System for VocationalEducation and Training on Quality Assurance in VocationalEducation and Training and on Enhancing mobility of youngpeople in Europe should fit in well with the Czech Presidencypriorities and with the announced 2009 evaluation of achie-ved objectives of the European Youth Pact. Committee opi-nions on volunteering and on a European civic service shouldalso be useful for Czech Presidency work on the proposed Re-commendation on the Mobility of Young Volunteers acrossEurope. In addition, the expected evaluation and report ofthe SOC Labour Market Observatory concerning youth em-ployment will no doubt focus on eradicating barriers to youngpeople's access to the European labour market. An active fol-low-up to the Labour Market Observatory work on the

situation of older workers, on women and the labour market,on the employment situation of people with a disability andon the question of growth, quality of working life and sustai-nable productivity is also expected in the first part of 2009.

During the Czech Presidency, the SOC Section will continue tofocus on the need for a European social model and for a socialagenda that keeps pace with economic and market develop-ments; a Committee opinion on the latter will be adopted inJanuary 2009. A campaigning follow-up to the recent Com-mittee opinion on A New European Social Action Programmeis also planned, with the view to highlighting the EU socialdimension and to help reconnect the EU to its citizens.

Specific opinions on updating the European Works Councilsdirective and health and safety directives will be adopted forthe start of the Czech Presidency. An important own-initia-tive opinion on the Situation of older workers will also beready for 2009.

Likewise, a major opinion on trans-national healthcare andpatients' rights will be adopted in time for the Czech Presi-dency, an issue with considerable importance for free move-ment and a Europe without barriers.

The Czech Presidency interest in legal migration will be ad-dressed by two key Committee opinions which will be adop-ted at the beginning of 2009, respectively on A CommonImmigration Policy for Europe and on a Policy plan on asy-lum. An opinion on Migration, mobility and education willalso be adopted for the start of 2009. The Committee is ex-pected to play a key role in the setting-up and functioning ofthe proposed Forum on European Integration Policies.

Following on from 2008 as the European Year of Inter-cultu-ral Dialogue, and following, the European High Level Summiton Roma, the Committee is also likely to be a major contri-butor to an EU institutionalised platform structure for thistrans-national minority.

Contact: Alan Hick +32 2 546 93 [email protected]


The Mobility of Young Volunteers across Europe

Employment, Social Policy and Citizenship,

Immigration and Integration

Two of the NAT section's major priorities for the period 2008-2010 coincide with those of the Czech presidency:

• The Common Agricultural Policy over the long term. Afterthe Health Check, what is needed now is to look to the ex-piry of the current financial framework and engage in a pro-found discussion about the prospects for the CAP after 2013.This could take the form of an own-initiative opinion backedup by conferences, hearings and so on both at the Commit-tee building and away from Brussels.

• Climate change and renewable forms of energy in ruralareas. At times of crisis, in particular, it is important to havesimple and cheap solutions that work immediately for thoseconcerned. With its expertise in sustainable and rural deve-lopment, the Committee already has the foundations for col-laborating with those directly affected by this newphenomenon.

Contact: Jakob Andersen +32 2 546 92 [email protected]


Agriculture, Rural Development,Environment, Sustainable Development

The question of safe and sustainable energy is at the centre ofclimate policies within the EU and in the framework of the in-ternational negotiations. The SDO will continue to focus onthis subject during the Czech Presidency, both in its reportsand in the events it is organising.

Contact: Annika Korzinek +32 2 546 80 65 [email protected])


Sustainable DevelopmentObservatory

The SustainableDevelopment Observatory

is playing a key role incoordinating the EESC's

action on climate change.


Transport, Energy, Infrastructureand the Information Society

Transport

The two key priorities of the Czech Presidency will be theTrans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and road trans-port. The Green Paper on future TEN-T policy will be an op-portunity to address the connection with neighbouringcountries, and the linkage between ports, airports, and hin-terland areas. The TEN section will be requested to preparean exploratory opinion about road transport (detailedcontent will be communicated later).

In the field of air transport, the Czech Presidency aims toachieve maximum progress in discussing the proposal for re-vision of the legal framework of Single European Sky pro-gramme and to deepen relations with third countries toimprove competitiveness of European air carriers (notably fo-cusing on negotiation with the US and Canada). It aims topromote inland waterway transport by endorsing the ambi-tious European program NAIADES in the event of any specificlegislative initiative of the Commission in this area. It indica-ted its support to organise two hearings in Czech Republicalong the preparation of the opinions on the Urban mobilityAction Plan and on the Action Plan for the deployment of In-telligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Contact: Aleksandra Klenke +32 2 546 98 [email protected]

Ana Cristina Costea +32 2 546 88 [email protected]

Energy

The Czech Presidency will put the emphasis on security ofsupply and related neighbourhood policies and on transitiontowards a low-carbon energy system. These issues will betackled through the diversification of supply routes andsources, transatlantic cooperation on energy, a genuine EUexternal energy policy based on solidarity, long term invest-ment in power generation capacities and freedom for eachmember country to design a proper energy mix. The CzechPresidency wants also to concentrate on lacking capacities

and interconnections. The TEN section aims at contributingto a ministerial conference that the Czech Presidency will or-ganize on the functioning of the internal electricity market(and in particular at inter-connectors) on 29 – 30 January2009 in Ostrava. The TEN section also could be requested toprepare an exploratory opinion about the "Financial measuresto maximise energy efficiency – how to use the full potential".

Contact: Sven Dammann +32 2 546 93 [email protected]

In the nuclear energy domain, the Czech Presidency will befocusing on the revised legislative proposal on nuclearenergy, which might be the basis for a revision of the "Nuclearsafety" directive. It will also hold the 4th meeting of EuropeanNuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) in May 2009 in Prague underthe patronage of Mirek Topolanek, Prime Minister of theCzech Republic. This will be an opportunity for the TEN Sec-tion, whose President János Tóth chairs the ENEF “Transpa-rency” Working Group, to inform the meeting's participantsabout the outcome of the conference on "What does civil so-ciety think of nuclear energy?” that the EESC is organising on26 January 2009 in Brussels.

Contact: Maria José Lopez Grancha +32 2 546 87 [email protected]

Information Society

The main priority during the Czech Presidency will be theadoption of the Telecoms Reform Package, followed by theadoption of the amendment for the roaming regulation andthe promotion of the Safer Internet programme. In thiscontext, the TEN Section aims to: 1. Organise a public hearingof the opinion to be prepared on the review of the roamingregulation at the end of January or beginning of February2009; 2. Contribute to the High level ministerial conferenceon Safer Internet (Prague, 20 April 2009), on the basis of theopinion on the same subject which was adopted in May 2008.

Contact: Georgios Karageorgos +32 2 546 87 [email protected]


Industrial Change

In general terms, the CCMI will put its expertise and expe-rience towards supporting the Czech Presidency in its statedkey area of interest, viz: a competitive and open Europe. In sodoing, the CCMI will continue its examination of proposals topursue the goals of the Lisbon Strategy.

More specifically, and given the long-standing industrial tra-dition in the Czech Republic, the CCMI will put at the disposalof the Czech Presidency the fruits of its examinations of is-sues affecting the competitiveness of industrial sectors – no-tably the automotive and chemical – and how best advantagemay be taken from the phenomenon of relocation. In all ofthese areas, given the existing expertise and experience ofthe CCMI, the consultative commission stands ready to pro-vide updates and reviews at the behest of the Presidency.

Finally, given the stated wholehearted intention of the Czechpresidency to intensify efforts to implement the EuropeanNeighbourhood Policy (particularly in relation to the EU's Eas-tern neighbours), the CCMI intends to continue its pro-gramme of events designed to disseminate the lessonslearned in the areas of industrial change. This involves the sta-ging of events conceived as comparative case-studies of me-thods employed both to mitigate and to pre-empt the effectsof industrial change in both the so-called 'new' and 'old'Member States. The CCMI intends to extend this to include si-milar discussions involving bordering states such as theUkraine.

Contact: Pol Liemans +32 2 546 82 15 [email protected]

In connection with the enlargement process, the EESC willhold a meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Commit-tee (JCC) in Turkey during the first semester of 2009. TheCzech Presidency will be invited to make a statement at thismeeting. A meeting of the EU-Croatia JCC will also take placein the first six months of 2009. This meeting could be orga-nised in the Czech Republic. Also regarding the Western Bal-kans, the Committee will hold the first meeting of theEU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia JCC as well asadopt an opinion on EU-Bosnia-Herzegovina relations at therequest of the European Commission.

With regard to the relations with Eastern Neighbours, a jointmeeting will be held with the Ukrainian National TripartiteSocial and Economic Council and other elements of Ukrai-nian civil society to monitor jointly the current EU-Ukrainenegotiations for an Association Agreement and to contributefurther to adding a civil society dimension to the EU-Ukrainerelations. Two opinions, one on civil society in the SouthernCaucasus and another on the Baltic Sea region, will also beadopted in the first half of 2009. Relations with the PublicChamber of the Russian Federation will also be developedon the basis of the work accomplished in 2008.

A meeting of the European Economic Area ConsultativeCommittee will take place during the first semester of 2009.This meeting could take place in Prague.

Finally, a joint EESC-ILO Conference on the role of civil societyorganisations in the Black Sea countries will be held in Brus-sels in February 2009. The Czech Presidency will be invitedto participate in this event.

As far as relations with Southern Partner Countries areconcerned, the EESC will start preparing the 2009 Economicand Social Councils' Summit and will continue assistingEgypt and Morocco in establishing Economic and SocialCouncils. A report on Climate change and the Mediterranean:environmental and energy challenges will be adopted.

The EESC will continue monitoring the current free trade ne-gotiations with various partners in the world. It will also fol-low closely the evolution of the negotiations at WTO level

and will adopt an opinion on Transatlantic relations: how toimprove the participation of civil society.

There will be various activities in connection with relationsbetween the EESC and Asia. A meeting of the EU-ChinaRound Table will take place in China in the first semester of2009. There will also be a workshop with India civil societyrepresentatives on the issue of participation of civil society intrade and investment negotiations.

The EESC will continue monitoring Economic PartnershipAgreement (EPA) negotiations with the ACP countries andcontribute to the implementation of the EPA concluded withthe Caribbean countries. The EESC will participate in the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly that will take place inPrague from 6 to 9 April 2009. The EESC will organise a re-gional seminar in South Africa in June 2009. The Czech Re-public Presidency will be invited to participate in this event.

The first meeting of the EU-Brazil civil society Round Tableshould take place in the first semester of 2009. The EESC willcontinue actively monitoring the negotiations for an Asso-ciation Agreement with Central America.

Finally, the EESC will adopt an opinion on the European Ins-trument for Democracy and Human Rights in the first quar-ter of 2009.

Contact: Jean-François Bence +32 2 546 93 [email protected]


Europein the World

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is aconsultative body set up by the Rome Treaties in 1957. Itconsists of representatives of the various economic and so-cial components of organised civil society. Its main task isto advise the three major institutions (European Parliament,Council of the European Union and European Commission).

It is mandatory for the EESC to be consulted on those issuesstipulated in the Treaties and in all cases where the institu-tions deem it appropriate. It can also be consulted on an ex-ploratory basis by one of the other institutions, or can itselftake the initiative to issue opinions (around 15% of its opi-nions are own-initiative opinions). The EESC adopts on ave-rage 150 opinions a year on a wide range of subjects

concerning European integration. It therefore plays an ac-tive role in the Community decision-making process.

The EESC also has two complementary tasks: first, involvingcivil society organisations more in the European venture,and, second, boosting the role of civil society organisationsin non-member countries or groups of countries, such as thecountries applying for EU membership, with which very ac-tive consultative committees have been set up; the Euro-med countries bordering the Mediterranean; African,Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries; Mercosur countries(Latin America); and India, amongst others. The EESC holdsstructured dialogue with representatives of civil society or-ganisations in these countries and regions, and promotes


The European Economic and Social Committee

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the creation of consultative structures based on its ownmodel. Thanks to the EESC, building Europe is therefore thetask not only of the European Union and politicians, but alsoof members of the public belonging to organisations invol-ved in economic, social and cultural life.

The EESC is made up of 344 members split into three groups:the "Employers" group, the "Employees" group and the "Va-rious Interests" group, which brings together representativesof sectors of economic and social life that are not covered bythe first two groups, that is, bodies representing craftsmen,farmers, SMEs, the professions, consumers in the social eco-nomy, family associations and associations promoting therights of people with disabilities and combating exclusion,the general interest, etc. The EESC's membership is not

static. It changes with each four-yearly renewal so as to re-flect changes in civil society in the Member States as accu-rately as possible. The last EESC renewal – which covers thenext four-year period – took place in October 2008. A total of30% of members were newly appointed.

Until September 2010, the EESC presidency will be held byMario Sepi (Workers' group, Italy), assisted by two vice-pre-sidents, Irini Ivoni Pari (Employers' group, Greece) andSeppo Kallio (Various Interests group, Finland). The EESCSecretariat is headed by Martin Westlake, Secretary-General.

Links between the European Economic and Social Commit-tee and the national economic and social councils and othersimilar bodies.

The EESC and economic and social councils and similar ins-titutions have in close cooperation built an important net-work at EU level. In the EU's Member States, this cooperationis based on regular meetings on specific subjects (in parti-cular on the renewed Lisbon Strategy), the exchange of in-formation and the development of a joint website(http://eesc.europa.eu/ceslink/08-en/presentation-ceslink-en.html).

It also participates actively in the work of the InternationalAssociation of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Ins-titutions (IAESCSI), the members of which span 50 countries.

Lastly, the EESC maintains regular relations with civil societyorganisations in the countries applying for EU membershipand in several countries or country groupings outside theEuropean Union. These activities are carried out jointly withthe economic and social councils of the relevant countries.


Thanks to the EESC, building Europe is therefore the

task not only of the EuropeanUnion and politicians, but also

of members of the publicbelonging to organisations

involved in economic, social and cultural life.


The Czech members of the European Economic

and Social CommitteeHelena Čornejová

Head of the socio-economic section, Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS)

Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)

Vladimíra Drbalová

Director of the Department of International Organisations and EU Affairs, Confederation of Industry of theCzech Republic (SPČR)

Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) External Relations (REX)

Roman Haken, Member of the EESC Bureau

Director of the Czech Centre for Community Organisation (CpKP) of Central Moravia – Member of the government advisory body on non-governmental non-profit organisations

Member of the committee for strategic and regional development and external relations of the Olomouc region.

Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) External Relations (REX)

Ludvík Jírovec

Director, SP Poběžovice a.s. – Chairman of the supervisory board of the district agrarian chamber – chairmanof the supervisory board of the district chamber of commerce

Member of the COPA-COGECA working group on oilseeds and protein crops in Brussels

Consultative commission on industrial change (CCMI) Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) )

Vladimír Matoušek

Head of the international section of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS)

Consultative commission on industrial change (CCMI) Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT) Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)


Jaroslav Němec

Czech Council of Humanitarian OrganisationsDirector of the Archdiocesan Charity, Prague

Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)External Relations (REX)

Dana Štechová

Advisor, Section for European and International Relations, Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions(ČMKOS)

Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) External Relations (REX)

Josef Suchel

Advisor, Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions(ČMKOS)

External Relations (REX) Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Pavel Trantina

Representative of the Czech Council for Children and Young People

Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT)

Ivan Voleš

Deputy Secretary, Czech Republic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HKČR)

Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT) External Relations (REX)

Josef Zbořil

Consultant in the paper and cellulose industry, company management and the environment – member of theboard of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic (SPČR)

Consultative commission on industrial change (CCMI) Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Marie Zvolská

Legal advisor and expert in labour law and social affairs, Union of Czech and Moravian Production Co-operatives (SČMVD)

Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)


As its motto suggests, the Czech presidency seeks to promotea "Europe without Barriers". It has therefore drawn up a prin-cipal work programme that reflects this priority and in turnfocuses on three further ones: competitiveness, the four free-doms of the single market and liberalising trade policy. Theforthcoming Czech presidency also has a number of othermajor goals.

Competitiveness: the pivotal element of the initiativesdeveloped by the Czech presidency in this area will be theLisbon Strategy for growth and jobs. This is about ensuringsustainable growth and competitiveness as we evolvetowards a knowledge-based economy. This requires makingthe strategy in its current form fully operational andensuring the stability and continuity of this process when itsfuture after 2010 is negotiated.

The four freedoms: the Czech presidency will do its utmostto promote the greatest possible liberalisation in themovement of workers. Their geographical and professionalmobility is essential if their potential is to be fully harnessedin favour of the Lisbon strategy and, in turn, the knowledgeeconomy.

Liberalised trade policy: in examining the efficacy of thenew "Global Europe" trade policy, the Czech presidency willhave to encourage the European Union to work towardsgreater openness, to combat discrimination and to furtherliberalise trade relations. The presidency will also lay theemphasis on implementing more fully the new strategy onaccess to markets.

Other areas in which the Czech presidency will be particularlyvigorous include:

A secure and sustainable energy sector

The Czech presidency will help to move forward the Europeanenergy policy, which seeks to ensure security of supply, thecompetitiveness of the European economy and the availabi-lity of resources at acceptable prices, while recognising the

importance of environmental protection and combating cli-mate change.

Revising budget perspectives and reform of theCommon Agricultural Policy

One of the headline themes of the Czech presidency will bethe delicate reform of the budget in order to gradually ratio-nalise expenditure. The aim here will be to reduce funding forthe Common Agricultural Policy and to adjust its distribution.The second pillar of the CAP (for rural development) will thusreceive some of the resources previously allocated to the firstpillar (direct payments).

Transatlantic relations, the Western Balkans andEastern Europe

Transatlantic cooperation remains a fundamental concern forEurope and must be constantly improved. The Czech presi-dency will work to this end, including at the EU-USA summitto be held in Washington and attended by the new US admi-nistration.

The Czech presidency will also work to strengthen coopera-tion between the EU and the countries to the east in a num-ber of areas (such as economic and trade relations, respectfor fundamental rights and immigration) and will develop theEuropean Neighbourhood Policy, especially boosting its eas-tern dimension.

Developing the area of freedom, security and justice

Of particular importance will be the Czech presidency's workon implementing the Hague programme which underpinsthe creation of a space of freedom, security and justice. Thisprogramme will expire in 2009 and the Czech presidency willlaunch preparations for the new post-Hague programme thatwill cover the period 2010-2014.

The Czech presidency will also endeavour to make furtherprogress in drawing up a common European policy on asy-lum and migration and in implementing the European pacton immigration and asylum.

Priorities1 for the CzechPresidency of the Council

January –June 2009

1. These are the provisional priorities of the Czech Presidency as they stood at the time of publication of this document. These priorities may well be subject to change.


The Council of Economic and Social Agreement of the CzechRepublic (CESA) is a joint (tripartite) body for negotiation andinitiatives which acts as a forum for social dialogue betweenthe government, trades unions and employers. Operating ona voluntary basis, its mission is to reach consensus on funda-mental issues of economic and social development. The socialpartners and government representatives are actively invol-ved in the drafting of various forms of legislation. Improvingsocial dialogue is an absolute priority to achieve this. TheCouncil comprises a plenary assembly (its principal negotia-

tion body), the presidency (the executive body), workingteams and groups, ad hoc or permanent groups of experts,and a secretariat.

The plenary assembly comprises eight representatives of thegovernment (prime minister and seven other ministers),seven representatives from the trades unions and seven re-presentatives from employers. At present, the government'ssocial partners from the trade union side are the Czech Mo-ravian Confederation of Trade Unions and the Association ofIndependent Unions. Employers are represented by theConfederation of Industry of the Czech Republic and theConfederation of Employers' and Entrepreneurs' Associationof the Czech Republic. The CESA's current secretary-generalis Ondřej Jukl and its president is the Prime Minister, Mirek To-polánek.

Its main activity concerns economic policy, workers' rights,collective bargaining and employment, social affaires, sala-ries and wages, public services and administration, and sa-fety at work.

Contact:

Council of Economic and Social Agreement of the Czech Republic

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech RepublicNa Poříčním právu 1 – 128 01 Praha 2

Tel.: +420 221 922 022 • Fax: +420 221 922 947

www.vlada.cz/cs/rvk/rhsd/uvod.htmlwww.mpsv.cz

Council of Economic and Social Agreement of the Czech Republic

Capital Prague

Other major cities Brno, Ostrava, Plzen, Olomouc

Population 10.3 million

Language Czech

Currency Czech crowns (Kč) [CZK = Kč, 1 Kč = 100 hellers]

Surface area 78 864 km²

GDP 3 530.2 billion Kč in 2007

Unemployment 5.3 % in 2007

Inflation 2.8 % in 2007

Economic growth + 6.6% in 2007

President of the Republic Václav Klaus

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek

Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg

Deputy Prime Minister for European AffairsAlexandr Vondra


Some Basic Facts about theCzech Republic

Recent important dates:

1 January 1993: Czechoslovakia splits into the Czech Repu-blic and Slovak Republic

1 May 2004: the Czech Republic joins the European Union

20 December 2007: joins Schengen

Constitutional system:

Parliamentary republic. Since 1993, the Czech Republic hasbeen a democratic and pluralist parliamentary republic.

Head of state:

Václav Havel, writer and former dissident in the Charter 77movement, became the first president of the Czech Republicin 1993.

The president of the republic (currently Václav Klaus) is elec-ted for five years by the two chambers of parliament. His po-wers are defined by the Constitution. The president appointsthe prime minister, who forms the government.

Government:

Headed by the prime minister (currently Mirek Topolánek),the government comprises a further seventeen ministers. Thegovernment office coordinates the prime minister's diary andthose of the other government members.

Legislature:

Parliament comprises two chambers. The Chamber of Depu-ties has two hundred members elected by proportional re-presentation for four years. This period can be shortened andearly elections held.

The Senate comprises 81 senators elected for six years by ma-jority voting, one third being replaced every two years. It hasspecial powers under the Constitution.

The Czech Republic is a member of the followinginternational organisations:

European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation(NATO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Interpol, Organi-sation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Orga-nisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),United Nations (ON), United Nations Conference on Trade andDevelopment (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scien-tific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Western Eu-ropean Union (WEU) (associated member).

Some useful websites:

Official site of the Czech Republic www.czech.cz

Government office www.vlada.cz

Senate www.senat.cz

Secretary of State for European Affairswww.vlada.cz/en/eu/default.html;

Czech site on European issues www.euroskop.cz

Tourism site www.czechtourism.com

Site of the Czech Council Presidency from January to June 2009 www.eu2009.cz



Programme of Events in 2009Conferences, seminars, hearings and extraordinary meetings

1st half of the year

1. EESC ACTIVITIES

HORIZONTAL INITIATIVES

Press officers Seminar "Communicating Europe in partnership – Beyond borders and cultures" EESC, 27 January 2009

Exhibition on sustainable architecture from the "International Biennial of Architecture in Venice" and "The Global Award of Sustainable Architecture" EESC, January – March 2009

Exhibition "Roma" – Interdisciplinary event promoting the EESC's Roma opinion With an exhibition, a panel discussion and music EESC, March – May 2009

whatNEXT Czech Republic Exhibition of Czech contemporary design linked of the European Year of Innovation and Creativity EESC, May – July 2009

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Group III

Extraordinary Group III bureau meeting Prague, March 2009, date tbc

Meeting with Czech organised civil society organisations – discussion about the status of civil society organisations and their relations with public institutions (to be finalised)

SECTION ACTIVITIES

SINGLE MARKET, PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

European Consumer Day. Expected attendance by the Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European affairs, Mr Vondra, and the Commissioner for consumer protection, Ms Kuneva Brussels, 13 March 2009

Meeting of the Single Market Observatory Czech Republic, June 2009

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

EESC-ILO joint conference on Black Sea February 2009

5th meeting of the EU-China Round Table China, April – May 2009

10th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups Botswana, June 2009

5th meeting of the EU-Croatia JCC Brussels, April 2009

Workshop on civil society involvement in EU-Ukraine Association Agreement negotiations Date tbc

Workshop on issues related to trade and investment negotiations India, date tbc

1st meeting of the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia JCC Date tbc


TRANSPORT, ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

Conference The view of European civil society on nuclear energy Brussels, 26 January 2009

Public hearing on the review of the roaming regulation (TEN/360) Brussels, January – February 2009

Public hearing Education and training needs for the carbon-free energy society (TEN/364) in the context of the European Union Sustainable Energy Week 2009 Brussels, 11 February 2009

Conference The external costs of energy technologies jointly organised with the FP6 project 'New Energy Externalities Development for Sustainability' (NEEDS) Brussels, 16-17 February 2009

Conference on the “Global Study of FERRMED Great Axis network (Scandinavia – Rhine – Rhône – Western Mediterranean)”to promote a rail freight oriented network in the EU Brussels, February 2009

EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND CITIZENSHIP

Conference / expert seminar on youth volunteering Prague, 11-14 March 2009

Conference on the Partnership between the sphere of education and employers / enterprises Tbd, 6-7 April 2009

Conference on Quality Assurance in Vocational Educational Training on Youth Event Tbd, 2-4 June 2009

CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION ON INDUSTRIAL CHANGE

Conference: "Political strategy of the European Institutions on industrial change"; conference in preparation for the new terms of office of the Parliament and the Commission Brussels, 4-5 June 2009

Seminars in candidate countries and neighbours to present the work of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) on policies accompanying industrial change Candidate countries

ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION, AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COHESION

Conference on financial markets EESC, 22-23 January 2009


2. EESC PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL EVENTS

HORIZONTAL INITIATIVES

King Baudouin Foundation / European Movement conference: participation of Mario Sepi, EESC PresidentEuropean Commission, 11 May 2009

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Participation of a delegation of members of the ACP-EU Follow-up Committee of the EESCin the 17th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Prague, 6-9 April 2009

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT

Section meeting in collaboration with the Czech Minister for rural development. Topics: Leader, renewable energies and rural areas, biofood Prague and Prerov, 18-19 June 2009

TRANSPORT, ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

Contribution to the ministerial conference of Czech Presidency on the functioning of the internal electricity market (and in particular at inter-connectors) Ostrava, 29-30 January 2009

Participation of Ms Sharma, rapporteur TEN/343, at the high level ministerial conference on Safer InternetPrague, 20 April 2009

ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COHESION

NTCCP Meeting Prague, 3 February 2009

UDG Meeting Prague, 4 February 2009

International Conference on Future of the Cohesion Policy and Territorial Cohesion Prague, 26-27 March 2009

Informal Meeting of Ministers in charge of Territorial and Urban Development Mariánské Lázně, 23-24 April 2009

ESPON 2013 Seminar Prague, 1-2 June2009

Brussels Economic Forum Brussels, date tbc

For more information on EESC section work, please visit our Internet site: www.eesc.europa.eu.

Would you like to know more?

This brochure is one of a series of information documents published by the European Economic and Social

Committee. Other titles in the series include: The EESC in Ten Questions; The EESC: A Bridge between Europe and

Organised Civil Society; and The EESC's Priorities. These, and a number of more specialised publications, can be

consulted and downloaded free of charge at www.eesc.europa.eu.

The Czech Presidency website, which can be found at www.eu2009.cz, provides up-to-date information on the

presidency as it unfolds.

The website of the Council of the European Union (www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/index.htm) provides a

great deal of information about the Council and its ongoing activities.

The website of the European Parliament (www.europarl.europa.eu/) similarly provides a large amount of

information about the Parliament and its ongoing activities.

The Europa website of the European Union (http://europa.eu/), which is managed by the European Commission,

provides a vast amount of information about the European Union's activities. It contains a number of interactive

pages specifically designed to provide a more interactive service for the European Union citizen.

If you have any questions about the European Union or its activities, please send an email to the Europe Direct

service on (www.europa.eu/europedirect/) or call the following free number: 00 800 67 89 10 11.


European Economic and Social Committee “Visits and Publications” Unit

Tel. (32-2) 546 96 04 • Fax (32-2) 546 97 64Rue Belliard, 99 • 1040 Bruxelles / Belgique

www.eesc.europa.euCatalogue No.: CESE-2008-32-EN

QE-80-08-387-EN-C

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